Ma dou ling
Aristolochia contorta
Family: Aristolochiaceae
What it is like
A perennial herb. It grows up to 1 m high. It can be climbing. The leaf stalk is 2-7 cm long. The leaves are narrowly D shaped or heart shaped and 3-13 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. They are papery.
The Aristolochiaceae are mostly tropical and subtropical. There are about 500 Aristolochia species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain slopes and valleys between 500-1,200 m above sea level in north China.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Vietnam
How it is used for food
CAUTION: It has been reported as poisonous and medicinal.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Sondich van